Engine Design Software addresses fuel economy, emissions.
Press Release Summary:
Engine performance and gas dynamics simulation software, WAVE v8.0, helps engine developers make sure designs meet fuel economy and emissions requirements. Controls on Canvas feature lets users manage all control elements on drag-and-drop basis, and 3D modeling feature (WAVE3D) provides integrated solution for 1D/3D co-simulation. Users can also interact with WAVE model while simulation is running and see immediately see responses to changes.
Original Press Release:
Next-Generation Powertrain Design Software from Ricardo Offers Power and Precision to Help Meet Fuel Economy and Emissions Targets
VAN BUREN TWP., Mich., Jan. 17 -- The latest release of WAVE, Ricardo's world-leading engine performance and gas dynamics simulation software, takes its performance and modeling capacity to a new level in the quest to meet increasingly demanding fuel economy and emissions standards. WAVE 8.0 -- the product of more than a year of intense development by Ricardo Software -- features a dramatically improved interface and radically upgraded 3D functions among a host of enhancements designed to vastly reduce product development lead times.
Since its launch almost 20 years ago, Ricardo's WAVE product has become the must-have software tool for engine developers. Today's demanding fuel economy and emissions requirements, including 35-MPG CAFE regulations in the U.S. and more stringent CO2 limits in Europe, mean that accurate engine performance simulation has never been more important. Used by automakers and Tier 1 suppliers around the world, WAVE offers unparalleled ease of use and all the processing power that powertrain professionals need to get answers quickly and, above all, accurately. Now, WAVE 8.0 raises the bar still higher with several more unique features such as Controls on Canvas and the revolutionary new WAVE3D. And as always, Ricardo's development of the software has sought to anticipate future directions in powertrain design. Key new features include:
Controls on Canvas: This smart, easy-to-master new front end for WAVE transforms the way in which users manage control elements. The Elements Manager has been extended to include all control elements such as sensors, actuators, PID controllers, valve actuators, interpolation maps and load models, all of which can be manipulated on a simple drag-and-drop basis. Wiring now links actuators, sensors and control elements, so there's no need to hunt through drop-down menus to work out the connectivity. There are new control elements too, including integrator, differentiator and function, the latter allowing the user to introduce logic expressions into the simulation. Control circuits can be dimmed, turned off or viewed alone for increased clarity.
WAVE3D: This incredibly powerful new feature gives WAVE 8.0 a 3D modeling capability way ahead of current levels. A fully integrated solution for 1D/3D co-simulation within the WAVE environment, WAVE3D is so sophisticated it allows a 1D analyst to perform an advanced simulation without any input from a CFD analyst. A 3D CFD computational mesh can be created quickly and easily, the simulation set up simply and post-processing performed without any additional software tools or expertise. For the first time, it is possible to perform a 1D/3D co-simulation without the need for two different sets of software and, crucially, without the need for two different skill sets.
WAVE Live!: Users can now interact with the WAVE model while the simulation is running and see responses to changes they make as they happen. Interactive control inputs include turbine wastegate, rack position, EGR valve position, combustion timing, duration and heat exchanger effectiveness.
WaveBuild/WavePost: Significant improvements to WAVE's primary pre- processor and post-processor have increased both productivity and scope. The interface has been significantly enhanced so users can load multiple models using tabbed models on canvas. This feature allows quick comparisons to be made between designs and the seamless copy and paste of elements between models. Rectangular ducts can be modeled for the first time and mapless turbocharger elements allow rapid assessment of a turbo engine model in its early stages without the need for a manufacturer's data map. Turbocharger modeling is greatly enhanced also, including modeling of reverse flow and surge. An R-CAT SCR model now allows analysis of this important area of diesel emissions control. In addition to these important new features, WaveBuild has also undergone many other detailed refinements including, for example, the ability to export raw plot data to Microsoft Excel.
Commenting on the release of WAVE 8.0, the president of Ricardo Software, Steve Sapsford, said: "WAVE is an absolutely key product, central to all engine-design programs and the analytical tasks you need to perform when designing engines. The latest developments in WAVE 8.0 have focused on what we perceive to be critical areas including turbo development and real-time modeling. WAVE's development is deeply integrated into Ricardo's own technology roadmap. Ricardo is looking years ahead and the development of WAVE reflects this with each release gaining essential new features early on. This makes it a unique product because Ricardo has a view of the future which other software developers simply don't have."
WAVE is the well-proven and highly trusted engine performance and gas dynamics simulation software from Ricardo. It is used worldwide in all industry sectors including motorsport, automotive, motorcycle, truck, agricultural, locomotive, marine and power generation. WAVE enables performance simulations to be carried out based on virtually any intake, combustion and exhaust system design, and a driveline model allows complete vehicle simulations. For more information on WAVE visit www.ricardo.com/engineeringservices/software.
Ricardo, the Eco-Innovation Technology Company, is a leading independent provider of technology, product innovation, engineering solutions and strategic consulting to the world's automotive, transport and new energy industries. The company's skill base represents the state-of-the-art in low emissions and fuel-efficient powertrain technology, and can be best summarized: "Ricardo is Fuel Economy."
With technical centers and offices throughout Europe, the U.S. and Asia, Ricardo provides engineering expertise ranging from vehicle systems integration, controls & electronics, software and software development, to the latest driveline and transmission systems and gasoline, diesel, hybrid and fuel cell powertrain technologies. Its customers include the world's major automakers and suppliers as well as manufacturers in the military, commercial and off-highway sectors. The company also serves in advisory roles to governmental and independent agencies. Ricardo's U.S. operation, Ricardo, Inc., is headquartered in Van Buren Township, Michigan. Ricardo plc posted sales of $344 million in financial year 2007 and is a constituent of the FTSE techMark 100 index -- a group of innovative technology companies listed on the London Stock Exchange. For more information, visit www.ricardo.com.
CONTACT: Anthony Smith, Ricardo Media Office, +44-1273-382710, media@ricardo.com; or Joe Kirik of The Quell Group, +1-248-649-8900, jkirik@quell.com, for Ricardo
